Teenagers to have their say

Teenagers are being invited to speak their minds and quiz local leaders during a huge Big SHOUT event.

The event, the first of its kind in West London, will be held at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge at the end of July in an aim to find out what issues really matter to young people in the area.

A total of 300 youngsters aged between 13 and 19 will be invited to take part in the event. There will be 100 from each of the three boroughs: Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.

The teenagers will be able to challenge decision makers from the police, council and health service as well as put forward their own ideas.

The day will focus on the three issues of sexual and mental health, communication between the police and young people and the promotion of opportunities for young people.

Connie Campbell, 15, a member of the Borough Youth Forum, which has been helping to organise the event, said: “I have loved working on the Big Shout and the best thing is that you know all the preparation and work will pay off on the day and that young people will get the chance to really influence what happens in their boroughs.”

Councillor Helen Binmore, of Hammersmith & Fulham Council, said: “The Big SHOUT is a real chance for us to show our young residents that we value them and their opinions and that we want to improve our services and offer them real opportunities.”

The event will also include information stands and workshops on areas such as CV writing, sexual health, mental health, the police, how to stop smoking and how to get involved in the local community and youth council.